Guyana Adventure

2-13 April, 2020

As you may be aware we know Guyana very well indeed, having published the countries two most important coffee table type books and having travelled many times extensively throughout the country. Guyana, little known, is the only English speaking country in South America and one of the most pristine and diverse countries in the world.

For this itinerary, we plan to make it more expeditionary. Essentially we have three key destinations in mind. Firstly, Kaieteur Falls, one of my favorite and most awe-inspiring places in the world. The tallest single-drop waterfall in the world, this time we will stay the night at the falls. This is exceptional and totally worth it. Unlike the usual middle-of-the-day two hour visits we will be at the falls in the evening and morning with no one else around. It is truly magical.

Our next destination is a remote area on the Mapari River in the pristine rainforest. It is quite awesome. We sleep in hammocks, under a large roof. Food is great and wildlife spectacular. We hope to see harpy eagle, various monkey species, paca, ocelot, goliath bird-eating spiders possibly tapir and even get to snorkel in the clear river. We will be truly ‘out there’.

From rainforest to savanna, at Caiman House Field Station. This is a combination guest-lodge and education centre focused on research and conservation projects along the nearby Rupununi river. The lodge is next to Yupukari Amerindian Village and we’ll spend time with the local craftspeople and learn about village life.

The map is a visual representation of the locations included in this trip. Click over the image to zoom into the map. For more information, please refer to the itinerary for this expedition.

Trip Details

General Information

USD $7,730.00 Per person sharing

Single Supplement: USD $500.00 Maximum 2

Arrival: Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Georgetown, Guyana

Departure: Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Georgetown, Guyana

Arrival Time: afternoon of 2nd April, 2020

INCLUDED

Accommodations for 11 nights in jungle and eco lodges.

Airport transfers.

National park fees.

All meals and water, tea, coffee.

Local English-speaking driver/guide as well as one Pete Oxford Expeditions trip leader.

VIEW ITINERARY

ADay 1, April 2nd, 2020: Arrival in Georgetown

We will pick you up at the airport, and then transfer you to Cara lodge in Georgetown.

BDay 1, April 2nd, 2020 pm: Cara Lodge overnight

Cara Lodge was built in the 1840’s and originally consisted of two houses. It has a long and romantic history and was the home of the first Lord Mayor of Georgetown. Over the years, the property has been visited by many dignitaries including King Edward VII who stayed at the house in 1923. Other dignitaries have included President Jimmy Carter, HRH Prince Charles, HRH Prince Andrew and Mick Jagger.

After breakfast we transfer a short distance to the Eugene F. Correia International airport to board our flight to the spectacular Kaieteur Falls, the longest single-drop waterfall in the world, plummeting 224 m (741 feet) and set in the middle of stunning rainforest. Kaieteur supports a unique micro-environment where you will see giant tank bromeliads (the largest in the world), in which the tiny golden frog spends its entire life, as well as some carnivorous plants. We will also look for the rare Guianan cock-of-the-rock, which has a lek close by. One of the highlights of this trip is the fact that we have included an overnight’s stay at Kaieteur Falls. It is totally awesome to be there on our own in the evening and again in the morning with coffee in hand to a privilege point on the falls that regular visitors are not allowed to access. Sleeping is rustic in either a bed or a hammock but we will be taking with us good food, a chef and a sense of adventure. It is totally worth it.

DDay 3, April 4th pm, 2020: Kaieteur to Caiman House Lodge

This morning we will be down at the edge of the falls enjoying the early morning on our own. We will also get the chance to look for the Guianan cock-of-the-rock again which is often easier to find in the early morning. After our breakfast and exploration of the falls we will board our chartered flight to an airstrip in the Rupununi savanna where vehicles will meet us and drive us for our overnight stay at Caiman House in the village of Yupucari. This evening we intend to do a nocturnal boat ride with the chance of being able to assist in an ongoing research project where we can catch black caiman on a scientific tag and release project. Overnight at Caiman House.

DDay 4, April 5th, 2020: Caiman House to Mapari Creek

Leaving Caiman House early we’ll board our comfortable aluminum skiffs and head south exploring the diverse habitats of the Rupununi River and the surrounding savanna then primary rainforest until we arrive at Mapari creek. We will have a picnic lunch along the way. Leaving the white water Rupununi River we now head into the much narrower, clear, cool black water creek that drains the nearby Kanuku Mountains. Along the way dodging under fallen trees, possibly even portaging our boat we keep our eyes open for any of the multitude of birds and animals that we might see which could include the Guianan red-faced spider monkey, macaws, toucans and even tapirs. We arrive to our campsite where we will sleep in hammocks with mosquito nets in a permanent open-sided building. This is truly a wilderness experience and we will be literally in the middle of nowhere. Overnight at Mapari Creek.

EDays 5, 6 & 7 April 6th – 8th, 2020: Mapari Creek

We spend a full three days based out of Mapari Creek hammock camp. Food will be good. The toilets are tented long-drops and we will be bathing in the river next to the camp. This however is genuinely wild and pristine. Our activities will include hikes in the forest, boat rides and silent boat drifts down river, both in the day and at night. Snorkeling in the river which could be incredible. It is very rare to be able to snorkel in clear water Amazonian rivers. Some of the target species while we are there are harpy eagle, (there is a nest very close by and if it is active we have an extremely good chance), tapir, various monkey species, macaws, toucans, raptors, anaconda, ocelot, jaguar and last but not least the Goliath bird-eating-spider (the largest spider in the world) of which there is a good concentration in the area. Overnights at Mapari Creek.

DDay 8, April 9th, 2020: Mapari to Caiman House

After our final visit to the forest as the crew breaks camp and we have a hearty breakfast we then drift as far as we can back down the creek before starting the engine and heading slowly towards Caiman House where we will arrive in the late afternoon.

Caiman House is located in the North Rupununi, a region of south western Guyana known for its expansive wetlands, savanna, marshy ponds and riparian forest. It is an extraordinarily rich and diverse area with at least 600 species of fish, along with 600 species of birds, and over 200 species of mammals. Located roughly in the middle of this beautiful and fascinating biological hotspot where endangered species like the giant otter, black caiman, jaguar, giant anteater, and arapaima can be found. This region is rich in history, too. The North Rupununi is the homeland of the Makushi and earlier peoples dating back almost 7,000 years ago. Neighbors include the Makushi villages of Kwaimatta, Massara, Yupukari, Toka, and Simoni. Several prominent explorers and naturalists have written about their experiences here, including Robert and Richard Schomburgk, Charles Waterton, Evelyn Waugh, Gerald Durrell and David Attenborough. In the afternoon we will travel by boat to look for wild giant river otters. On the return trip we will spotlight for black caiman, birds and creatures of the night. Overnight at Caiman House.

DDay 9, April 10th, 2020: Caiman House

This morning we make an early start to reach an area of rolling grasslands, which is home to a population of giant anteaters. With luck we shall locate one of these six-foot-long animals excavating its breakfast from one of the red termite mounds that stud the savannah. An evening visit to a nearby area to see water-loving birds including ibis, anhinga, herons, jacanas and egrets is a highlight. If you are interested in birdwatching you can explore woodland patches or gallery forest along the river where we’ll hope to find a host of local bird species such as spotted puffbird, striped woodcreeper, pale-bellied tyrant-manakin and golden-spangled piculet. Overnight at Caiman House.

DDay 10, April 11th, 2020: Caiman House

With both the river and the savannahs close at hand there is a wide variety of activities to be enjoyed. We are free to determine what we want to do based on our interests, local conditions and whether the guides have found anything especially unique and interesting to see. Two guided excursions are provided each day — one early in the morning and another late in the afternoon and into the evening. As well as being the coolest times to be out, these are usually the best times to see the different birds and animals. Trips may be on the river by boat, on the savannahs by Land Rover or along forest trails on foot to the various eco systems. Overnight at Caiman House.

FDay 11, April 12th, 2020: Caiman House – Georgetown

In the event we have not yet seen a giant anteater we have time to travel out to search the savannah once more for another try! After breakfast we then take our charter flight from the private Karanambu airstrip over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest to land in Ogle airport, Georgetown and transfer to the Cara Lodge. After a late lunch enjoy a guided tour of Georgetown, the chief port, capital and largest city of Guyana. Overnight at Cara Lodge.

ADay 12, April 12th, 2020: Cara Lodge & Departure.

You will be transferred from the Cara Lodge to the airport in time for your flight home.

Travel Insurance

Travel cancellation and/or medical coverage

Travel insurance is a vital component of any trip and all of our travelers should ensure they have the appropriate cover. In the case of certain destinations, it is mandatory to have travel insurance and we will make this clear in these instances.

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Expedition Leader

Discover the world with experienced travelers

Pete Oxford

Photographer | Owner | Trip Leader

Pete and his wife Reneé Bish have published two important books on Guyana. Rupununi: Rediscovering a Lost World with Conservation International and a foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales and Undiscovered Guyana, with WWF and a foreword by His Excellency David A. Granger, President of the Republic of Guyana. This book was commissioned by the government to celebrate 50 years of Guyanan independence. Pete knows Guyana, its people and wildlife very well.
Pete works in some of the world’s most pristine and remote wildlife and cultural destinations as a full-time professional conservation photographer. His images have appeared in major magazines including National Geographic, Time, Outdoor Photography, and Smithsonian, and have been featured ten times in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards.

Photo Gallery

Some of the amazing scenery, wildlife and cultures you will discover during this unforgettable experience